Kushma

Kushma sits where the Modi and Kali Gandaki rivers cut deep gorges, and the district has built a set of very long suspension footbridges across them for ordinary use, several of which hang well over a hundred metres above the water; the Kushma-Gyadi bridge is among the longest and highest pedestrian suspension bridges anywhere. Walking one is free and unnerving. Commercial operators have added a bungee jump and a giant swing from a bridge over the Kali Gandaki, which at around two hundred metres is marketed as among the world's highest, and that has become the town's main draw for visitors. Otherwise Kushma is an ordinary hill district headquarters with the gorges below it.

History

Kushma has long been a stop for travellers from Baglung to Pokhara, Palpa and Butwal, and the businesses that served them grew into a small market; as settlers arrived it became the headquarters of Parbat district, and the municipality was formed on 18 May 2014 (Wikipedia, Kushma).

What you'll find

• The long footbridges - pedestrian suspension spans high above the gorges.
• The bungee and swing - the commercial jumps from the Kali Gandaki bridge.
• The gorges - the Modi and Kali Gandaki cutting deep below the town.
• Ordinary use - villagers crossing the bridges as daily routine.

When to go

October to April for clear weather and stable operations; monsoon brings cloud, rain and higher water. Jumps run daily in season and should be booked ahead at busy times.

What to expect

The bridges move considerably and are genuinely alarming for anyone uneasy with heights. Bungee and swing operators vary; equipment and safety standards should be checked rather than assumed. Height claims in the marketing are competitive and not always comparable.

Nearby

Pokhara lies east; Tansen is southwest.

Key facts